When Monty Murty returned to Westmoreland County after retiring from careers in the U.S. Army and as a business consultant in Washington D.C., it enabled him to rekindle his love of trout fishing and be more active in the local Trout Unlimited chapter.
“In particular, I love fly fishing. I began fishing at my grandfather’s cabin off of Route 271 on the north fork of Mill Run in Ligonier Township when I was just 9-years-old,” said Murty, now 76.
“I now live in Laughlintown and Laughlintown Run flows through my backyard. They’re both wild trout streams,” Murty said.
Since moving back to Western Pennsylvania, Murty not only fished more frequently, he immersed himself in the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited, based in Westmoreland County.
His involvement in administration, environmental, youth and veteran activities in the organization culminated Wednesday when he was presented the chapter’s prestigious Don Robb Memorial Chapter Service Award for his exemplary service.
A lifetime member of Trout Unlimited, he currently serves as the chapter’s treasurer and immediate past president. He also served as the executive vice president for the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and as National Leadership Council Representative.
“This award is to recognize his many years of dedicated service to lead the organization in its mission to preserve coldwater fisheries and to teach stream conservation practices to students,” said Larry D. Myers, chapter president.
The Chapter also presented Monty with a $100 gift certificate for Ligonier Outfitters.
Myers said Murty has led the chapter in teaching coldwater conservation, fly tying and fly casting classes to local middle and high school students. He has presented dozens of stream-related programs during field days and field trips for schools in the region.
“For many students, it was their first exposure to collecting and identifying critters in the stream that trout need to survive. And he has organized and helped with programs for adults, including fly fishing events for ladies’ and disabled military veterans,” Myers said.
Currently, Murty is preparing and developing a coldwater conservation plan for Linn Run. The study includes habitat assessment, water quality sampling, collection and identification of macroinvertebrates and surveying trout populations in the stream and tributaries.
The final report will identify stressors and where stream remediation might enhance wild brook trout habitat and populations.
The award, the chapter’s highest honor, is named for Don Robb, the late, long-time owner of Don Robb’s Fly Shop in Ligonier.
Robb was among the founders of the Trout Unlimited local chapter. Although known nationally as a fly rod builder, he was best known as the fly fishing mentor to generations of students, many of whom spent their after-school hours sweeping out the shop in exchange for his knowledge of the sport, according to Myers.
More information on the local chapter that has about 600 members is available at https://forbestrailtu.org/
Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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